“It was determined that the boat operator was grossly impaired and an open container of liquor was located nearby,” Staff Sgt. Wes Olsen told CTV News. “There was another male found sleeping in the hold of the fishing vessel who was intoxicated as well.”

The Port Hardy Marine Authority alerted police, saying the 10-metre vessel was being operated in an erratic manner. By the time police and the Coast Guard arrived, the boat was six kilometres offshore.

The man at the helm appeared to be "slumped over and non-responsive," said Olsen, and even a blast from the Coast Guard vessel's horn failed to rouse him.